Rinaldo An Opera |
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SCENE IV.
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 | Rinaldo |  |
SCENE IV.
A Delightful Garden in the Enchanted Palace of Armida.Almirena, Argantes.
Alm.
Armida! most inhumane Sorceress!
Thus, unprovok'd by any Act of mine,
To snatch me from my Joy, and here confin'd,
Torment me with eternal Views of Sorrow!
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Divinest Creature, let not Grief's black Shade
Ecclipse the beamy Beauties of thy Face;
My simpathizing Heart is touch'd with Woe
To hear thy just Complainings.
Alm.
Give my big Tears their way:
Arg.
Those Tears, bright Maid,
Deaden the Fire which Love has kindled in me;
Alm.
Oppress'd, and troubled as you see me now,
Judge if my trembling Breast has room for Love!
Permit the wretched to complain
Of their unhappy Fate;
The Loss of Liberty's a Pain
That shou'd our Sighs create;
When you wou'd comfort an afflicted Mind,
Pity not Love, shou'd make you kind.
Of their unhappy Fate;
The Loss of Liberty's a Pain
That shou'd our Sighs create;
When you wou'd comfort an afflicted Mind,
Pity not Love, shou'd make you kind.
Permit the, &c.
Arg.
You are the Queen of my submissive Will,
And with despotick Power may give me Laws!
Alm.
Ah! 'tis not true!
Arg.
Wou'd you behold a Proof?
This faithful Sword shall lead you to my Heart,
And cut you out a Road to Demonstration:
Alm.
Alas I wish not that! Oh! did you love me!
Arg.
What can convince you of my Faith?
Alm.
My Liberty.
Arg.
Oh hard Command!
Alm.
Oh, ill dissembled Passion!
Arg.
What if while I, ambitious of thy Love,
Contrive thy wish'd Release, Armida's Skill
Shou'd give her fatal Notice of my Falsehood!
How shall we both be tortur'd with Revenge,
While Jealousy, Love, and infernal Rage,
Excite her keen Resentment!
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Why then, uninterrupted let me weep;
Arg.
No, gather Courage fair One, 'tis resolv'd,
This Arm shall burst the magick Chain that binds thee;
That Face so full of Beauty,
Inspires with Love and Duty
My Will, your Slave;
Only to view those Eyes
Where Cupid's Store-house lyes
Will make me brave.
Inspires with Love and Duty
My Will, your Slave;
Only to view those Eyes
Where Cupid's Store-house lyes
Will make me brave.
That Face, &c.
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